With nose for police work, Seaford's new K-9 now on patrol

SEAFORD — The Seaford Police Department — already armed with officers in vehicles and cadets on foot and bikes — now has a four-legged colleague tracking crime.

Elk, a 4-year-old black German shepherd, is on patrol, teaming with his handler, Cpl. Cody Matthews.

As an introduction, a brief K-9 demonstration for city staff, council members and the public was held outside of City Hall on June 25.

Elk was obtained from North Carolina’s Tarheel Canine, which supplies dogs for other agencies in the area, as well.

The newest officer has multiple purposes. “He can track, do detection work, (find the) odor of drugs and bite work,” Cpl. Matthews said.

While he can detect narcotics, he was not trained for marijuana discovery.

With good health and given his age, the department said Elk should be able to handle law enforcement work for another five to six years.

This addition marks the return of a K-9 to Seaford police, which last had a dog more than two decades ago, Chief Marshall Craft noted.